Nigerians Demand Refineries Restart to Lower Fuel Prices

On October 5, stakeholders including motorists and economic experts in Abuja called for the urgent rehabilitation and restart of Nigeria's refineries to stabilize petrol supply and reduce prices. Mr. Thomas Unongo, a commercial driver, highlighted the burden of rising petroleum prices on ordinary Nigerians, attributing it to non-functional refineries.

He criticized the government's plan to lower transportation fares, which has had minimal impact due to high petrol costs and difficulties in accessing Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). Unongo urged the government to ensure that refineries operate at full capacity instead of relying solely on the Dangote refinery.

Similarly, motorist Mr. Friday Ogar emphasized the need for the government to take immediate action to fix its refineries, arguing that the private Dangote refinery prioritizes profit over affordability. Both stakeholders stressed that operational refineries would lead to more affordable fuel prices and alleviate financial pressures on Nigerians.